Los Angeles is great for biking. If you're into distance pedaling, you can do no better than the flat 22-mile paved Ocean Front Walk that runs along the sand from Pacific Palisades in the north to Torrance in the south. The path attracts all levels of riders and gets pretty busy on weekends. For information on this and other city bike routes, phone the Los Angeles Dept. of Transportation (tel. 213/485-9957).

The best place to mountain bike is along the trails of Malibu Creek State Park (tel. 818/880-0367), in the Santa Monica Mountains between Malibu and the San Fernando Valley in Calabasas. Fifteen miles of trails rise to a maximum of 3,000 feet and are appropriate for intermediate to advanced bikers. Pick up a trail map at the park entrance, 4 miles south of U.S. 101 off Las Virgenes Road, just north of Mulholland Highway. Park admission is $5 per car.

Spokes 'N Stuff Bike Rental has two locations: 4175 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (tel. 310/306-3332), and 1715 Oceanfront Walk, behind Loews Hotel, Santa Monica (tel. 310/395-4748). They rent 10-speed cruisers for $7 per hour and $16 per day; 15-speed mountain bikes rent for $8 per hour and $20 per day. Another good Santa Monica rental shop is Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals (Santa Monica Pier; tel. 310/393-9778). The rates are about the same as Spokes ?N Stuff. Be sure to ask for a free self-guided tour map (it's really handy).

In the South Bay, bike rentals -- including tandem bikes -- are available 1 block from The Strand at Hermosa Cyclery, 20 13th St. (tel. 310/374-7816; www.hermosacyclery.com). Cruisers are $7 per hour, tandems $13 per hour. FYI, The Strand is an excellent car-free path that's tailor made for a leisurely bike ride.